PINA

Canberra and Sydney are set to roll out a royal welcome ahead of King Charles and Queen Camilla’s first visit to Australia as a reigning monarch. The King and Queen will visit the cities as part of a six-day visit to Australia between 18 and 23 October, the first since it was announced the King was undergoing cancer treatment. Details of...

Leaders from across Pacific Island countries have called for a robust 21st replenishment of the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA21), echoing the call from African Heads of State who agreed in April on a bold transformation agenda with IDA as a cornerstone. Hosted by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, leaders and representatives from 11 countries met with World Bank...

Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has praised Fiji Airways for commissioning new Full Flight Simulators, calling it a “momentous occasion” for both the airline and the nation. “As we celebrate yet another landmark achievement in Fiji Airways' remarkable journey, the commissioning of these new simulators is not just a significant achievement for Fiji Airways but for our entire nation,” Rabuka...

Monday, the crime of ecocide was formally introduced for consideration by member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) —an event that represents a major step forward in the global effort to enshrine mass environmental destruction as a crime under international law. ‘Ecocide’, as proposed by Vanuatu, Fiji and Samoa, is defined as “unlawful or wanton acts committed with knowledge...

The Flying Fijians are ramping up preparations their semi-final clash against the USA in the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup. After topping Pool A, the Flying Fijians are set to take on the USA, who finished as runners-up in Pool B. The team has reconvened in Nadi following their decisive win over Tonga, resuming training with a focus on the...

Former NRL star Jarryd Hayne has been approached to made a surprise comeback six years after he last ran onto a footy field at the top level. Fiji national coach and former NRL player Wise Kativerata hopes the 36-year-old will make a decision before the island nation competes in the Pacific Bowl tournament in November. The two-time Dally M Medal winner...

Fiji's Assistant Minister for Home Affairs Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure Tuesday stressed the urgency of addressing Fiji’s drug problem. Speaking at the National Workshop for Counter Narcotics Bill, Vakalalabure said this growing national crisis is starting to tear through the very fabric of society. He said the government is ramping up efforts to tackle the escalating threat of illicit drug trafficking with...

Two children who were detained offshore in Nauru have won federal court settlements from the Australian government for medical negligence and abdicating its duty of care. The judgments for the two cases, identified as FBV18 and AYX18, came within days of each other at the end of August. The confidential settlements, which protect the identities of the children and their families,...

Australia remains committed to addressing climate change issues affecting the Pacific region including Solomon Islands. That’s the assurance from Australia’s Ambassador for First Nations People, Justin Mohamed, during his presentation last week at the Faculty of Education and Humanities (FEH) in Honiara. The one-hour seminar focused on two main issues; climate change and, intellectual rights of indigenous people. However, he focused more...

The World Bank Group President, Ajay Banga met last week with Leaders and representatives of Forum member governments that are members of the World Bank Group. The meeting took place at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva, Fiji. The high-level meeting provided a crucial platform for Pacific leaders to engage directly with the World Bank President and discuss a range...